First Ride of the Year!

[ridebikeme]

Congrats to all of you that got out to ride today!!

I was able to get out and ride today too. The odd thing is that I have NEVER been able to ride the roads here in Maine on January 1st.. needless to say I'm totally stoked! I rode about 25 miles on my mtn bike, too sandy and slushy snow for a road bike. Temps were about 38, so that's very warm for this area at this time of the year. Climbed to a chain of lakes that is about a 10-11 mile climb, although not terribly steep. Of course, the return is mostly downhill, so I was glad to have the mtn bike with tons of sand and some slush. But what an AWESOME day!!

[Becky]

DH and I rode to work today and tacked on a few extra miles on the way home, just because it was so nice out

[7rider]

Pfunk12 talked me into doing a special "New Years edition" of the N2.
"We'll be going easy" she assured me.
I haven't been doing much riding and am still fighting a stubborn, lingering cold. So I was dubious, as their "easy" rides usually equal my all out efforts. But, I was game. DH hung back with me as my Sherpa, since I was on a different bike today vs. yesterday, and I forgot to put the saddle bag back on -- I had no flat repair kit should I get a flat on the damp, sandy roads.
36 miles of chasing. Ugh. Thank goodness for traffic lights and one unfortunate flat (not mine...another guys). For June...when I'm riding lots, yes, the pace would have been easy. For January 1st, when I hadn't been riding more than 7.5 miles at a clip (for my slow, pondering commutes) for over a month and a half, it was brutally, awfully fast.
The ride - plus some Pinot tonight - will hopefully cause me to sleep really well tonight!

[azfiddle]

DH and I just returned from our first ride of 2011- up to Saguaro NP and back from our house, plus our favorite 8 mile loop road through the park. It was chilly for us- low-mid 40's but a beautiful clear blue sky. It was a nice way to start the new year together. 25.6 miles for me.

[radacrider]

I rode Portland's BTA's 54th Annual New Year's Day ride, and then adding my ride to the start and home from the end I got in 21 miles.

Leisurely pace, but it was really fun to ride with other people, since I am primarily a solo commuter.

Weatherwise, dry, 10-15mph easterly wind (means cold), overcast. Only parts that had a little trouble were my toes for a short bit and my chin/mouth. I did have a scarf which allowed me to cover/uncover for comfort. Might actually try a balaclava next time.

Happy new year, all and wishing you lot's of cycling enjoyment for 2011!

I've posted some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freehee...7625598582089/

[HillSlugger]

Weather today into the 50's!

I went out, intending to do about 25 miles, but was feeling so good at the turn around point that I decided to keep going. I ended up doing 20+11 for the new year.